In a year of ups, downs, loops and scoops, Attractions Management looks back at some of the biggest stories to hit the headlines, giving possible indicators at what’s still to come in the year ahead.

Reaching the mid-point of the year, six years on from the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, the New York Aquarium celebrated the launch of its new US$158m shark exhibit. There were more big happenings for Disney, with the company securing a multi-billion dollar deal to acquire Fox and the announcement of a multi-billion dollar expansion of its Tokyo park.

Feeding time

June marked a special moment for Brooklyn's New York Aquarium, which, six years on from Hurricane Sandy, celebrated the launch of its new shark-themed expansion on Coney Island's iconic boardwalk.

Called Ocean Wonders: Sharks!, around US$158m has been invested in the brand new three-storey development.

A 57,500sq ft (5,300sq m) space made up of nine different galleries, Ocean Wonders has been designed to build awareness of the importance of sharks to the health of the world’s oceans, as well as educating visitors about the severe threats which sharks face and inspiring them to protect New York's own marine wildlife.

Included in the new exhibit are more than 115 species of marine life, including 18 different types of sharks.

Attractions Management's Tom Anstey conducted a mystery shop of the new attraction, which you can read here.

Mouse tames Fox

One of the financially largest deals of the year, the Disney/Fox merger was saved, after Fox accepted a larger Disney offer days after Comcast attempted to hijack the deal.

Under the amended acquisition agreement, Disney agreed to buy Fox for US$71.3bn in cash and stock – an increase from Disney's initial US$52.4bn stock offer and Comcast's US$65bn cash offer.

The Fox acquisition will see Disney acquire a huge media library and the distribution rights to the first Star Wars film and the film rights to the Fantastic Four and X-Men franchises – two IPs not obtained through its previous multi-billion-dollar acquisitions of Lucasfilm and Marvel.

The move will have a significant impact on the theme park industry, with Disney likely planning to bring its new Fox IPs to its parks. Comcast owns Universal, which it would almost certainly have wanted to bring the Fox library to its parks instead.

Mouse splashes the cash

It certainly was not a cheap month for Disney, which in June also announced the finalisation of the multi-billion dollar expansion of its Tokyo theme park.

Expected to open in 2022, the development, which has been budgeted at ¥250bn (US$2.26bn, €1.95bn, £1.7bn), will see an eighth port comprising three themed areas opened, as well as a new luxury hotel.

The port, says Disney, is inspired by a magical spring, which will open up into each of the Disney worlds. The expansion will include four major attractions, as well as three restaurants and a retail outlet.

In the Frozen area, guests can explore the kingdom of Arendelle, which will feature the boat ride already in existence at Disney's Epcot theme park and under development at Hong Kong Disneyland. In addition, a restaurant inside the castle will sit at the foot of a snow-covered mountain scene.

Rapunzel's tower will be the iconic attraction for the Tangled area, which will allow visitors to explore the forest and tower where she lives. The area will also include an attraction that follows Rapunzel to the lantern festival and a restaurant inspired by the hideout of the film's thugs.

Never Land, the home of Peter Pan, will be home to two attractions and a restaurant. Landmarks include Never Land's mountains, Captain Hook's pirate ship and Skull Rock. The first attraction will be a flight simulator, taking guests over the jungles of Never Land into a battle with Captain Hook. The second attraction will take guest to Pixie Hollow, the home of Tinker Bell. The area's restaurant is inspired by the Lost Boys' hideout.

The hotel will be themed to Disney fantasy and will offer views of the entire port area. It will offer 475 bedrooms, while a retail store will be available on the first floor, as well as two restaurants.

Check back with Attractions Management tomorrow for a look back at the highlights from July